Chapter 324

Jared flinched, his jaw tightening as he stared at me, disbelief and shock written all over his face.

I said coldly, "If you can't clear this mess up for me, if you can't make sure I can work here in peace, I'll quit. I know I can find something way better than this."

With that, I tore off my work badge and threw it down hard on the desk, grabbed my bag, and headed straight for the door. Jared desperately grabbed my arm, his voice rough with emotion. "It could've been my mom behind this."

I stopped dead in my tracks and turned to look at him. Jared let out a heavy, defeated sigh. "I'll go talk to her. If it was her, I'll make sure she apologizes to you."

I stared straight into Jared’s eyes and let out a mocking laugh. "So you’ve known the truth all along, Mr. Holcomb? But you still stood by and let her drag my name through the mud. Jared, you let this happen; you allowed it…"

In that instant, tears streamed down my face, as if all the years of bottled-up grievances had burst out. I broke down completely.

I didn’t think I’d ever lost control like this before. Even after all those years married to Jared, whenever I cried, I always did it quietly, never letting anyone see. Jared looked lost, not knowing what to say or do.

"Jared, why are you still making me suffer even after we’re divorced?" Tears streamed down my face as I slammed my fists against his chest in frustration.

Jared fumbled, panicking a little. He grabbed my hands, and when I broke down sobbing, he wrapped his arms around me.

But I shoved him away even harder, shouting, "Is it because I’m weak? Is that why your whole family thinks they can keep pushing me around?"

"Jared, if you can’t get your family under control, you’ll be getting divorced over and over again for the rest of your life."

With that, I grabbed my bag and stormed out. Jared didn’t come after me. I kept swiping at my tears as I walked away, and with every step, the ache in my chest eased just a little.

By the time I finished yoga, it was already past eight. Nathan had sent me a selfie from the airport at seven, saying he was heading to Aurelia for work and wouldn’t be back for three or four days.

He asked if I wanted him to bring me anything and mentioned his golden retriever. If I had time, I could walk it, and his maid would join me. I just texted back: (Okay.)

By the time I got home, it was after nine. That was when Yvonne called me, her voice choked with sobs. "Mom, you need to get out of there. Dad and Grandma were having a huge fight downstairs, and it was so loud…"

She cried, "Grandma said she’s coming to you, and she’s gonna rip your mouth apart. Mom, you need to get out, quick! Grandma was so mad. It was weirding me out!"

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Jared was actually arguing with Sally? Because of what I said? "Yvonne, you're worried about me now?" I couldn't help but feel warmth in my chest; at least she was thinking of me.

"Of course! I'm scared Grandma might kill you, and then I won't have a mom anymore." Yvonne was just a kid; when adults said harsh things, she took them to heart and got scared.

I said quietly, "Don't worry; I'm tougher than you think. She's not gonna take me out that easily."

"Mom, you have to be careful, okay? Maybe you should get a cop to watch over you; that way, you're safe. Yvonne was still super worried about it.

I laughed. "It’s fine; she’s just all talk. She hasn’t done anything worse, and I doubt she'd dare show her face around here.”

Yvonne suddenly perked up. “Mum, stay on the line; I’ll let you hear what Gran and Dad are saying.”